Fire tablet microphone stopped working? Here’s what to do

⚡ Fast fix

• Try another app. If the mic works there, the tablet’s microphone probably isn’t the problem.
• Check microphone access. The app may not have permission to use it.
• Remove the case. Make sure nothing is covering or blocking the microphone opening.
• Still getting the silent treatment?
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You’re on a video call, recording something, or trying to use voice input when someone says the words nobody wants to hear: “We can’t hear you.” Naturally, you say something louder. Still nothing.

A microphone that stops working on your Fire tablet doesn’t automatically mean something inside has failed. At Asurion, our experts know how to separate a simple app or settings issue from a microphone that may actually need attention. Here’s where we’d start.

Find out whether the mic works anywhere

Rather than changing settings right away, try the microphone in another app. Record a short video or voice clip, then play it back and listen.

If the recording sounds normal, you’ve learned something useful—the microphone works, and we’d focus on the original app. If recordings are silent everywhere, keep troubleshooting the tablet.

Check the app’s microphone permission

An app can’t hear you if Fire OS isn’t letting it use the microphone. This is especially worth checking when the mic works everywhere except one app.

Open Settings > Apps & Notifications, select the problem app, then check Permissions and make sure microphone access is allowed. Menu names can vary slightly by Fire OS version. After changing the permission, close the app completely and reopen it before testing again.

Make sure nothing is blocking the microphone

Cases have a habit of becoming suspicious when audio problems start shortly after putting one on.

Remove the case temporarily and check around the microphone opening for dirt or debris. If you see buildup, gently clean the outside with a soft, dry brush or cloth. Don’t poke anything into the opening—you don’t want a cleaning attempt turning into microphone damage.

Try another recording with the case still off. If your voice suddenly sounds normal, you’ve found the problem.

Disconnect Bluetooth accessories

If wireless earbuds, headphones, or another Bluetooth accessory is connected, the Fire tablet may be using that device’s microphone instead of its own.

Turn Bluetooth off temporarily and make another test recording. If the built-in microphone starts working, reconnect your accessories one at a time and check which microphone Fire OS is actually using.

Restart the Fire tablet

When the microphone stopped working recently and there’s no obvious physical problem, restart the tablet before changing anything more drastic.

Hold the power button and choose Restart, then test the microphone again once Fire OS loads. A restart can clear a temporary app or audio process that got stuck without affecting your files or settings.

Check for Fire OS updates

If the microphone still isn’t cooperating across multiple apps, make sure the tablet is current. Open Settings > Device Options > System Updates and install anything available.

Keep the Fire tablet connected to power and Wi-Fi until the update finishes, then make another test recording.

When it starts looking like hardware

By this point, the pattern matters more than another trip through Settings. If the microphone stays silent in every app with Bluetooth disconnected and the microphone opening clear, hardware becomes more likely—especially if the tablet was recently dropped or exposed to liquid.

An external headset with a microphone can provide one more useful clue. If that mic works while the built-in one doesn’t, the problem is probably isolated to the tablet’s microphone rather than Fire OS.

FAQ

Why can nobody hear me on my Fire tablet?

Test the microphone in another app first. If it works there, check microphone permissions in the app where people can’t hear you.

How do I allow microphone access on a Fire tablet?

Open the app’s settings under Apps & Notifications, check Permissions, and make sure microphone access is enabled. The exact menu wording can vary by Fire OS version.

Can a Fire tablet case block the microphone?

Yes. A poorly fitting case or debris around the microphone opening can interfere with how clearly it picks up your voice.

How do I know if my Fire tablet microphone is broken?

If the built-in microphone doesn’t work in any app after restarting, checking permissions, disconnecting Bluetooth, and clearing the microphone opening, hardware may be the problem.